Greece November 2025

Posted by laurabirchall67 on 08/10/25 04:50 PM

Hello All -

My husband and I are planning a trip to Athens over Thanksgiving week to visit our son (studying abroad). I know it is not beach season, but that's ok - we love art and history and food! I have a couple of questions:

1 - In which neighborhood should we stay? we tend to like quieter areas, but since it's off season I didn't know if the usually busy tourist areas will qualify?? We will likely rent a car for part of the trip, but would love to be able to walk to a majority of sights.

2 - what are the best day trips from Athens at this time of year, and should any of them really be overnight? I think this will depend upon what my son has already seen (his program offers several "field trips" but I don't have those details, yet), but my husband and I could go during the first few days we are there, since he still has class. As I said above, we can rent a car for this portion, no problem.

About us: 58&67 years young; active, fit; love good (authentic) food, art, history, nature; big hikers and water sports (ie - windsurfing, wing foiling, kayaking)

Thanks in advance for any advice. - Laura

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest

08/10/25 08:49 PM

3063 posts

In November, I don't think you should be too concerned about crowds in Athens' usual tourist areas. While that's always where there will be the most tourists, it's also from these areas that you can easily visit the city and its main sites, and also where there are the most accommodation options.

However, it's of course possible to stay in less touristy but still lively areas.

Not knowing what you mean by "best", for a short day trip, if you have a car, you can go to Cape Sounion. It's an hour away by car.

https://www.visitgreece.gr/experiences/culture/archaeological-sites-and-monuments/the-archaeological-site-of-sounio/

During this day trip, if you're interested, you can also visit the Kaisariani Monastery, which overlooks Athens (20 minutes from the center of Athens). You'll have to start with the monastery, which closes quite early.

https://www.thisisathens.org/attractions/kesariani-monastery

Delphi is another option, but you'll have to get up early; the round trip takes at least 5 hours by car, and the archaeological site close earlier in November/November.

For the two above, you can be back in Athens in the evening. However, I don't recommend keeping the car outside of these day trips, especially if you're a new driver in Greece. Furthermore, a car will be useless in the city.

You didn't specify if you'll be staying in Athens the whole week or just 5 days, so it's difficult to give you more options, especially since Athens has enough to keep you busy for a whole week without needing to take day trips outside the city.

Posted by laurabirchall67 OP

08/10/25 10:33 PM

3 posts

Thanks, JoLui!

We will be there for a full 7 or 8 days. No plan to have a car in the city - only as needed for any day trips we may choose to take.

I guess I would love to know about areas like Plaka - so lovely, but I know we would not enjoy staying in a packed tourist area during high season.

to give you an idea: we love to stay in the 7th in Paris, near Rue Cler; in London we like Kensington and Mayfair - usually get apartments near the Metro and Underground...

thanks again - Laura

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest

08/10/25 11:35 PM

3063 posts

Plaka is the tourist epicenter of Athens, but as I said, I don't think crowds will be a problem in November. I often go to Athens, mainly outside of peak tourist season, but that said, I have no experience staying in November.

If you're looking for a short-term rental apartment, such as an Airbnb with self-catering, you could also stay outside of Plaka, you'll get cheaper prices while being close to the major sites. That's always where I stay in Athens.

For example, the Koukaki and Thissio neighborhoods are well-located and pleasant, and have more of a "local life" than Plaka.

If you use public transportation in Athens (bus, metro, tram), there are some interesting ticket options when you're staying for several days. For example, the 5-day ticket for €8.20.

https://www.oasa.gr/en/tickets/prices-of-products/

I don't know London well enough regarding your reference to Kensington and Mayfair, and I admit that even though I was born, having lived and worked in Paris for many years, like all Parisians, we had no idea that Rue Cler was a "typically Parisian" place until we went to Rick Steves' forums!

So I'm having a hard time relating to your preferences, but one of these days I'll go see what this famous Rue Cler is like... LOL